Survey finds 79 per cent of drivers would use public transport more if it was better

Research commissioned by Campaign for Better Transport has revealed that eight out of ten drivers would use public transport more if it was better and nine out of ten support Government investment in improving the public transport network as an alternative to driving.

The survey found that many drivers also regularly use public transport, walk and cycle - nearly a quarter of all people are 'mixed' transport users.

Norman Baker from the transport charity said: “Divisive rhetoric which pits drivers against public transport users is a nonsense. Many drivers are public transport users too, and many more would like to be. And getting more people onto buses and trains helps those drivers still in their cars by reducing congestion.”

The survey also revealed that investing in public transport has almost universal support among the public, whether they are primarily drivers or use public transport:

•           90 per cent of drivers and 91 per cent public transport passengers want to see a bigger rail network

•           97 per cent of drivers and 98 per cent of public transport passengers want cheaper rail fares

•           94 per cent of drivers and 95 per cent of public transport passengers want more and improved bus routes.

Mr Baker added: “Our survey shows that cutting investment in public transport is out of step with public opinion. The vast majority of people want to see more investment in our public transport network, not less. 

Last month the Government published its Plan for Drivers which seeks to prioritise driving over all other modes of transport and placed motoring as the default option for most journeys. In another snub to public transport, just weeks later it cancelled the Northern leg of High Speed 2, which would have taken the rail line north of Birmingham to Manchester and created much-needed extra capacity on the West Coast mainline. The £36 billion of HS2 investment has now been reallocated, with only a third specifically earmarked for public transport projects.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The survey was carried out by Yonder Data Solutions on behalf of Campaign for Better Transport between 4 and 5 October 2023. It was a nationally representative survey amongst 1,079 people which was conducted via an online omnibus survey. Yonder Data Solutions is a MRS Fair Data accredited and an MRS Company Partner which has achieved the International Standard ISO 20252:2019 for market, opinion and social research.
2. Of the £36 billion that was reallocated from HS2, £12.27 billion is now set to go on roads (building new ones or maintaining existing ones), £11.1 billion is going to city regions to spend on local transport (this could include some public transport but is not ringfenced), £7.2 billion will be spent on rail projects and £5.43 billion on buses.